Fabula
Object
Object

TARDIS Roundel Sabotage Switches

A cluster of blue-tinted recessed switches recessed into the roundel’s control panel (Turlough’s Roundel Panel Manipulation Mechanism), emitting a faint hum when engaged. Their purpose masked by the Guardian’s instructions delivered to Turlough, who operates them in sequence without understanding their function. The switches’ proximity to the space-time element beneath the console suggests direct manipulation of temporal dimensional stability. Located on the roundel’s control panel in the Main TARDIS Navigation Corridor, this concealed access point to TARDIS operational controls allows remote manipulation of core systems by authorized or forced agents.
3 appearances

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

3 moments
S20E13 · Terminus Part 1
Turlough manipulated by unseen TARDIS forces

The TARDIS roundel sabotage switches, recessed and blue-tinted, are the specific targets of Turlough's operation. They form the direct conduit between Turlough's hands and the unseen entity's commands, making them the heart of the sabotage effort.

Before: Secured and unengaged, protected behind the roundel panel
After: Activated by Turlough, now humming with temporal energy
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S20E13 · Terminus Part 1
Tegan confronts Turlough over manipulations

Turlough manipulates the roundel panel mechanism in the corridor wall during Tegan's confrontation. The panel is already open from prior tampering guided by the Guardian's commands, exposing blue-tinted switches. Tegan's discovery of the panel and Turlough's proximity to it becomes the physical evidence of his sabotage, severely damaging what little trust remains.

Before: The roundel panel is already open from Turlough's recent unauthorized entry, exposing inner circuitry and blue-tinted switches. The TARDIS systems are destabilized by this interaction.
After: The roundel panel remains open briefly before snapping shut as Turlough withdraws, but Tegan has seen enough to confirm her suspicions and report the breach.
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S20E13 · Terminus Part 1
Turlough’s sabotage exposed in confrontation

Turlough opens the roundel panel in obeisance to the Black Guardian’s voice using the TARDIS’s own systems against itself, exposing the blue-tinted sabotage switches inside. He operates them in sequence to manipulate the space-time element beneath the console as alarms escalate and the rotor falters under temporal strain.

Before: Flush with the corridor wall, closed, and unremarkable during normal operations
After: Partially open, cavity exposed, switches visibly blue-hued from active current, roundel poised to snap shut on command
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